-Amid indictment of ex-officials
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – July 30, 2024, During a media engagement on July 31, 2024, former President George Manneh Weah, the Standard Bearer of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), condemned the recent actions of the Unity Party (UP) administration, accusing it of orchestrating unlawful detentions aimed at silencing political opposition.
Weah’s remarks follow the arrest of several former government officials, including four members of the National Security Council, which he claims are part of a politically motivated crackdown against the CDC and broader opposition forces. He criticized the UP government for bypassing legal protocols, stating that these detentions occurred without any grand jury indictments, marking a troubling trend in the administration’s approach to governance.
“The latest transgression of the Boakai Administration is a callous attempt to undermine the rule of law and the security of our state,” Weah asserted. He outlined a series of grievances against the UP, including allegations of civil service harassment based on political affiliation, excessive use of force leading to civilian deaths, and failure to prosecute election-related violence.
Weah further accused President Boakai of attempting to unlawfully remove the Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia, an act he claims violates the institution’s founding legislation. “Mr. Boakai, your actions to politicize justice will be resisted and resisted strongly,” he declared, vowing that the CDC would leverage all legal and political means to counter these perceived injustices.
The former president highlighted the importance of adhering to national security laws, especially in a post-conflict nation like Liberia, emphasizing that the current government’s actions threaten the hard-won peace and stability established over the past two decades. Weah expressed pride in his administration’s record of preserving peace during crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and his commitment to fighting corruption through empowering the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
He warned that selective enforcement of anti-corruption measures could undermine the integrity of the fight against graft, asserting that the LACC must treat all audit reports equally to ensure fairness and transparency. “Skipping previous GAC audit reports to target only officials of my administration undermines the fight against corruption,” he stated.
Weah concluded his address by calling for unity among opposition parties to resist what he described as the UP’s dangerous political games. He pledged to engage with ECOWAS leaders and international partners to raise awareness of the UP’s tactics and to protect Liberia’s democratic framework.
“The Liberian people must resist any attempt by the Boakai administration to disturb peace,” he urged, reminding citizens of their shared commitment to democracy and stability in the nation.
As tensions rise in the political landscape, the CDC plans to hold a series of mass meetings to mobilize support against the UP’s alleged witch-hunt, signaling a potentially turbulent period ahead for Liberia’s political scene.
“God bless Liberia!” Weah concluded, reaffirming his dedication to the country’s peace and stability.
